GB2478324A

GB2478324A - Musical instrument mounting apparatus with sound isolation

Info

Publication number: GB2478324A
Application number: GB1003533A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jody Ross Ashfield
Original assignee: FREENOTES Ltd
Current assignee: FREENOTES Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-03
Filing date: 2010-03-03
Publication date: 2011-09-07
Also published as: GB201003533D0

Abstract

A musical instrument mounting 10 comprises a plate 14 configured to fix the mounting 10 to a surface. An arm 18 extends from the plate 14 to fix the mounting 10 to a musical instrument, such as an outdoor chime 20 for use in school playgrounds. The mounting 10 comprises sound isolation means which may be an acoustically damping material such as rubber or plastic, and preferably takes the form of a spacer or grommet which is used to isolate the musical instrument 20 from the arm 18. The arm 18 may include an attachment region to which the musical instrument is fixed, wherein the attachment region may comprise an aperture which houses the sound isolation means. If the mounting 10 is used to fix a chime to a surface, then a pair of mountings 10 is preferably used wherein each mounting is secured to the chime 20 at a nodal point of the chime 20.

Description

Musical Instrument Mounting The present invention relates to a musical instrument mounting, and particularly but not exclusively to a mounting for a chime, particularly an outdoor chime.

Chime' is used herein to refer to a tubular instrument which, when struck, resonates to produce a sound. Chimes generally comprise solid or hollow tubes formed from a resonant material such as wood or a metal, for 1 0 example, aluminium, stainless steel or brass.

Outdoor musical instruments, particularly percussion instruments such as chimes, are becoming increasing popular with schools and communities.

Generally such instruments are designed to be sufficiently hardwearing to 1 5 withstand adverse weather as well as rigorous play.

Outdoor musical instruments are generally provided with a stand with which the instrument can be permanently fixed in place. In the case of chimes, it is generally considered preferable to mount the chime at its nodal points. The nodal points of a chime are the points at which a standing wave oscillating in the chime has a minimum amplitude. Thus, mounting the chime at one or both of those points has little effect on the sound sustained by the chime. Chimes are often hung suspended from a wire threaded through holes drilled in an end of the chime. Chimes used in play equipment must be built to withstand vigorous use, and conventional methods for mounting chimes for indoor use or orchestral chimes (such as tubular bells) are generally not

suitable.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a musical instrument mounting comprising a bracket, the bracket having a plate for in use fixing the mounting to a surface and an arm extending from the plate for in use fixing the mounting to a musical instrument, wherein the arm comprises sound isolation means.

The arm may comprise an attachment region to which, in use, the musical instrument is fixed. The attachment region may be arranged so that, in use, a musical instrument, such as a chime, which is mounted using the bracket is mounted substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The attachment region may be arranged so that, in use, a plane of the attachment region, which may be substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface, is spaced from, and possibly substantially parallel with, the longitudinal axis of the instrument.

The attachment region may comprise an aperture. The sound isolation means may be disposed in the aperture. The sound isolation means may comprise a lining disposed in the aperture. The sound isolation means may comprise an acoustically damping material, such as rubber or plastics. The 1 5 sound isolation means may comprise a rubber grommet.

The arm may be substantially perpendicular to the plate.

The mounting may further comprise a spacer adapted to be located, in use, between the arm and the musical instrument. The spacer may comprise an acoustically damping material such as rubber or plastics. The sound isolation means may comprise the spacer.

The mounting may further comprise an attachment member adapted, in use, to secure the bracket to a musical instrument. Where the attachment region comprises an aperture, the attachment member may comprise a screw and, possibly, an internally threaded nut, such as a rivet nut adapted to receive the screw. The rivet nut may be provided on the musical instrument.

The bracket may comprise a plurality of arms, and in particular may comprise two arms, each arm being provided with a respective attachment region and sound isolation means.

The bracket may be substantially rigid, and may comprise, for example, a metal or plastic.

The arms may be spaced to receive a musical instrument.

The musical instrument may comprise a chime, and in particular a hollow chime, for example a hollow metal chime.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit 1 0 comprising a musical instrument and a mounting in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

The musical instrument may comprise a chime, and in particular a hollow chime, for example a hollow metal chime. The musical instrument may 1 5 comprise a set of chimes, each chime having a respective mounting.

The kit may comprise a pair of mountings for the or each chime.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a chime or set of chimes, the or each chime being mounted to a surface using a mounting in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

The mounting may be secured to the or each chime at a nodal point of the chime.

The or each chime may be secured to the surface using a pair of mountings. Each mounting of the pair may be secured to the chime at a nodal point of the chime.

The or each chime may be mounted such that the longitudinal axis of the or each chime is substantially parallel to the surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of mounting a musical instrument to a surface, the method comprising fixing a bracket to a surface, and fixing the musical instrument to the bracket, wherein the step of fixing the musical instrument to the bracket comprises the step of acoustically isolating the instrument from the bracket.

The step of acoustically isolating the instrument from the bracket may comprise the step of separating the instrument from the bracket using an acoustically damping material.

The step of fixing the musical instrument to the bracket may comprise spacing the musical instrument from the bracket, for example using an acoustically damping spacer.

1 5 The musical instrument may comprise a chime, and the step of fixing the chime to the bracket may comprise fixing the chime to the bracket at a nodal point of the chime.

It will be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the invention might equally be used in association with other aspects of the invention.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a musical instrument bracket; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a blank for a musical instrument bracket; Figure 3 depicts the steps in fixing a rivet nut to a chime wall; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a musical instrument mounting; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a musical instrument mounted to a surface using a musical instrument mounting.

Referring now to the Figures, a musical instrument mounting 10 is shown.

The mounting 10 includes a bracket 12, as shown best in Figure 1.

The bracket includes a plate 14 for fixing the mounting to a surface.

Generally, although not necessarily, the surface is a vertical surface, such as the wall 16 shown in Figure 5. Fixing holes 17 are provided in the plate 14, by which the bracket can be secured to the surface, for example using screws or nails.

The bracket also includes an arm 18 extending from the plate for fixing the mounting to a musical instrument, which in this example is a chime 20.

The arm comprises sound isolation means, which is arranged to substantially acoustically isolate the instrument from the bracket, so that the ability of the 1 5 chime to resonate when struck is substantially not impeded by the bracket.

The sound isolation means is described in more detail below.

In the example shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, the bracket includes two similar arms, which are spaced apart such that a chime can be received between those two arms.

The bracket 12 is made from a hardwearing and substantially rigid material such as metal. In this example, the bracket is formed by cutting a blank, such as that shown in Figure 2, from a sheet of steel. The blank is then folded along the dashed lines 23 to create two arms which are substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the blank, and which face each other. The bracket comprising the folded blank is then coated to increase its weather resistance.

Each arm includes an attachment region which, in the example shown includes an aperture 24. Each aperture 24 is shaped so that the sound isolation means, which includes an acoustically damping material in the form of a rubber grommet 22, fits inside the aperture, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The bracket is shaped so that the plane 25 of each aperture is substantially perpendicular to the surface to which the bracket is to be mounted. This helps to ensure that the longitudinal axis 27 of a chime mounted using the bracket can be kept parallel to the surface onto which the chime is to be mounted.

The mounting further includes, for each arm, fixing means, in this case a nut 26, having a threaded internal bore, and a screw 28 sized to be received in the bore, and engage with the threads. The mounting further includes, for each arm, a spacer 30 comprising an acoustically damping material, such as rubber.

A chime is mounted to a surface using the mounting 10 as follows.

1 5 A hole is drilled in the wall of the chime. If the bracket comprises two arms, as shown, two holes are drilled in the chime on opposite walls of the chime. The holes are dimensioned such that the shank of a nut 26 passes through the hole, whilst the head to the nut cannot pass through the hole.

To ensure the best sound from the mounted chime the hole or holes should be drilled as close as possible to a nodal point of the chime. A nodal point is one at which an acoustic wave generated in the chime has a minimum amplitude. As little vibration of the chime occurs at these points, the mounting has a minimal effect of the sound of the chime if attached at one of the nodal points.

In general, a tubular chime has two nodal points, each spaced approximately 22% L from an end of the chime (where L is the length of the chime). However, it will be appreciated that the exact location of the nodal points depends to some extent on the shape and construction of the chime, and can be determined by the skilled man. For example, a chime having an oval, rather than circular, cross-section might have a nodal point at 22.4%. L. It is preferred to fix the chime to the mounting surface at both nodal points. Therefore a hole or holes might be formed in the chime at both nodal points. Fixing at both nodal points is more secure than fixing at a single nodal point, and also reduces the stress on the chime when it is struck.

After the holes are drilled, a rivet nut 26 is fixed through each hole in the chime. An illustration of how the rivet nut 26 is fixed to the chime is shown in Figure 3. In particular, a rivet nut 26 is inserted into a hole in the chime such that the shank of the rivet nut protrudes through the hole into the chime, whilst the head of the rivet nut is retained outside the chime (Figure 3 panel 2). The shank of the rivet nut is then pulled back towards the head of the rivet nut whilst the head of the rivet nut is held stationary. This causes the shank to deform outwardly and pinch the wall of the chime at the node (Figure 3 panels 3 and 4). The deformed rivet nut is thus securely fixed to the wall of the chime, such that it cannot easily be removed from the wall of the chime.

The internally threaded shank of the rivet nut remains inside the chime.

In the meantime, the bracket 12 is secured to the surface, such as a wall of a building, on which the chime is to be mounted. The bracket is secured in a conventional way, for example by drilling holes into the wall, and passing screws through the bracket and into the drilled holes.

As mentioned above, it is preferred that a chime is secured to a surface at two nodal points. Securing a chime at two points using substantially identical brackets helps ensure the spacing between the chime and the surface to which it is secured remains constant. In addition, it reduces the stress on the chime, and as well as the likelihood of the chime being deformed under impact. Both of these factors help ensure optimal sound quality. Therefore, two suitably spaced brackets may be secured to the surface at this stage.

The chime 20 comprising the rivet nut 26 is then positioned adjacent the arm (or arms) of the bracket (or brackets) to which it is to be fixed. A respective spacer is located between the chime and each bracket arm 18 such that the spacer 30 abuts both the chime 20 and the arm 18 of the bracket. Finally, in respect of each bracket arm 18, a screw 28 is screwed through the grommet 22 in the aperture 24, and through the spacer 30, into the bore of the rivet nut 26, until the chime is tightly secured to the bracket arm.

Thus the chime is mounted with its longitudinal axis 27 substantially parallel to the surface, and offset from the plane 25 of the aperture 24, which 1 0 in this example coincides with the plane of the bracket arms. Thus, when the chime is mounted, the arms of the bracket are fixed to the side of the chime, rather than a front or rear face of the chime.

Securing the chime in this way, using sound iso'ation means including 1 5 the rubber grommet 22, means that the metal of the chime is isolated from the metal of the bracket, allowing the chime to resonate freely. Thus when the chime is struck, the sound isolation means acts to absorb the shock transferred to it from the chime through the screw located in the rivet nut. If the sound isolation means were not present, that shock would be transferred to the bracket, resulting in an unpleasant sound.

Rubber spacers between the chime and the brackets help centre the chime and keep it square, thus not causing undue stress on the chime which might affect its sound. The rubber spacers also provide additional sound isolation.

Locating the arms of the bracket to the sides of the chime reduces the impact on the chime of any shock which is not absorbed at the sound isolation means and which is transmitted to the bracket. For instance, if the chime was secured at its front and rear faces, rather than its side faces, any shock which was not fully absorbed by the rear fixing when the chime was struck would cause the chime to bounce back and interfere with the front fixing. Such interference could adversely affect the ability of the chime to resonate freely.

Various modifications may be made to the mounting described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the bracket might be of a different shape and size to that discussed herein, depending on the dimensions of the instrument or chime to be fixed. Furthermore, the bracket might be formed from any suitable hardwearing material such as a metal (e.g. steel or stainless steel) or a high impact plastic. The bracket might be coated or not, as required. The bracket might be formed from a blank which is then folded to shape (with or without the application of heat) as described above, or might be formed in another way, for example cast or moulded.

It will be appreciated that the spacer 30 might be formed integrally with the grommet 22 (i.e. these might comprise a single component). Alternatively, or additionally, the grommet 22 might be formed integrally with the bracket, rather than as a separate component.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A musical instrument mounting comprising a plate configured to fix the mounting to a mounting surface and an arm extending from the plate configured to fix the mounting to a musical instrument, wherein the mounting comprises sound isolation means.
2. The musical instrument mounting of claim 1, wherein the sound isolation means is adapted to isolate the instrument from the arm.
3. The musical instrument mounting of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the sound isolation means comprises an acoustically damping material.
4. The musical instrument mounting of claim 3, wherein the acoustically damping material comprises one of rubber and plastics.
5. The musical instrument mounting of any preceding claim, wherein the arm comprises an attachment region operative to attach the musical * ** instrument to the mounting. S.,
6. The musical instrument mounting of claim 5, wherein the attachment region is arranged so that, in use, a musical instrument which is mounted using the bracket is mounted with a longitudinal axis of the instrument substantially parallel to the mounting surface.
7. The musical instrument mounting of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the attachment region comprises an aperture.
8. The musical instrument mounting of claim 7, wherein the aperture defines a plane, which is, in use, substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface, and substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the instrument.
9. The musical instrument mounting of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein sound isolation means is disposed in the aperture.
10. The musical instrument mounting of claim 9, wherein the sound isolation means comprises a lining disposed in the aperture.
11. The musical instrument mounting of claim 10, wherein the sound isolation means comprises a rubber grommet.
12. The musical instrument mounting of any preceding' claim, wherein the arm is substantially perpendicular to the plate.
13. The musical instrument mounting of any preceding claim, wherein the mounting further comprises a spacer adapted to be located, in use, between the arm and the musical instrument.
14. The musical instrument mounting of claim 13, wherein the spacer comprises sound isolation means. * S.

20
15. The musical instrument mounting of any preceding claim, wherein the *.* mounting further comprises an attachment member adapted, in use, to secure the bracket to the musical instrument. S. S * S S * SS
16. The musical instrument mounting of claim 6 or any one of claims 7 to 14 as dependent on claim 6, wherein the attachment member comprises a screw adapted to pass through the aperture.
17. The musical instrument mounting of claim 16, wherein the attachment member further comprises an internally threaded nut adapted to receive the screw.
18. The musical instrument mounting of claim 17, wherein the nut is located on the musical instrument.
19. The musical instrument mounting of any preceding claim, wherein the mounting comprises a plurality of arms extending from the plate.
20. The musical instrument mounting of claim 19, wherein the mounting comprises two arms, each arm being provided with a respective attachment region.
21. The musical instrument mounting of claim 20, wherein the arms are spaced to receive the musical instrument between the arms.
22. The musical instrument mounting of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the sound isolation means is arranged to isolate the musical instrument from each arm.
23. The musical instrument mounting of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the mounting comprises a plurality of spacers, each spacer adapted to be located, in use, between the musical instrument and an arm. * SS * S *
24. The musical instrument mounting of claim 23 wherein the spacers include sound isolation means. * S. * . . *.. *
25. The musical instrument mounting of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is substantially rigid.
26. The musical instrument mounting of claim 25, wherein the bracket comprises at least one of a metal and a plastics material.
27. The musical instrument mounting of any preceding claim, wherein the musical instrument comprises a chime.
28. In combination, a musical instrument and a mounting in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 27.
29. The combination of claim 28, wherein the musical instrument comprises a chime.
30. The combination of claim 29, wherein the musical instrument comprises a set of chimes, each chime having a respective mounting.
31. The combination of claim 29 or 30, wherein the combination includes a pair of mountings for each chime.
32. A chime mounted to a surface using a mounting in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 27.
33. The chime of claim 32, wherein the mounting is secured to the at a 1 5 nodal point of the chime. S...
34. The chime of claim 32, wherein the chime is mounted to the surface *..S.. . * * using a pair of mountings. * S. * S *
35. The chime of claim 34, wherein each mounting of the pair is secured to the chime at a nodal point of the chime. * ** * . . S.. *
36. The chime of any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the chime is mounted to the surface such that a longitudinal axis of the chime is substantially parallel to the surface.
37. A set of chimes including a plurality of chimes in accordance with any one of claims 32 to 36.
38. A method of mounting a musical instrument to a surface, the method comprising fixing a mounting to a surface, and fixing the musical instrument to the mounting, wherein the step of fixing the musical instrument to the mounting comprises the step of acoustically isolating the instrument from the mounting.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of acoustically isolating the instrument from the mounting comprises the step of separating the instrument from the mounting using an acoustically damping material.
40. The method of claim 38 or claim 39, wherein the step of fixing the musical instrument to the mounting comprises spacing the musical instrument from the mounting using an acoustically damping spacer.
41. The method of any one of claims 38 to 40, wherein the musical instrument comprises a chime, and the step of fixing the chime to the mounting may comprise fixing the chime to the mounting at a nodal point of 1 5 the chime. �.
42. The method of any one of claims 38 to 41, wherein the bracket is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 27. * ** * * S
43. A musical instrument mounting substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**
44. In combination, a musical instrument a musical instrument mounting substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
45. A musical instrument mounting to a surface using musical instrument mounting substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
46. A method substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
47. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. * * *.*** .. *** * S * * * S * * *S d * S. * *55 S ** S * S S * S.